The Eagles were the new No. 2 in the Top 25 released today, a ranking that's been more of a burden than a reward recently. The second-ranked team in The Associated Press poll has lost three consecutive weeks. BC faces its toughest test of the season Thursday night at No. 8 Virginia Tech.

Ohio State is No. 1 in the media poll for the second consecutive week, receiving 57 first-place votes.

BC was idle this week but moved up one spot after South Florida became the latest No. 2 to lose, joining Southern California and California. The Bulls lost 30-27 at Rutgers on Thursday night.

The Eagles received two first-place votes and 1,494 points, giving them a small lead on No. 3 LSU. The Tigers moved up two spots, hopping over No. 4 Oklahoma, and received two first-place votes and 1,479 points after beating Auburn 30-24 on a last-second touchdown. Auburn fell five spots to No. 23 after the loss.

Oregon was No. 5, up two spots, and No. 6 West Virginia moved up three places.

The second Bowl Championship Series standings of the season were to be released later Sunday.

After four top 10 teams lost last week, four new teams moved up to replace USF, South Carolina, Kentucky and Cal.

No. 7 Arizona State, which received one first-place vote, moved up five places without playing this week. The unbeaten Sun Devils (7-0), who have their highest ranking since ending the 1996 season No. 4, play Cal on Saturday.

Virginia Tech jumped three spots and Florida and Southern California also moved back into the top 10. The Gators and Trojans are tied for ninth.

Boston College hasn't been ranked this high since the Eagles were No. 1 in 1942.

South Florida dropped nine spots to No. 11 after its first loss of the season.

No. 12 Kansas, one of the five remaining unbeaten teams in major college football, has its highest ranking since finishing the 1995 season No. 9.

No. 13 Missouri is followed by Kentucky, which lost to 45-37 to Florida, and South Carolina, which was upset 17-6 at home by Vanderbilt and fell nine spots.

No. 16 Hawaii (7-0) is the lowest ranked of the unbeaten teams.

No. 17 Texas, California, which dropped eight spots, Michigan and Georgia round out the top 20.

Four new teams entered the rankings this week, including No. 21 Virginia. The Cavaliers are in for the first time since 2005.

No. 22 Alabama, No. 24 Penn State and No. 25 Rutgers moved back into the rankings after victories.